Enlighten: Uplift & Inspire

My guest today is Judy McLane. Judy is a successful, charismatic singer and actor, animal activist, nature lover and seeker of the mystery in everyday life. Judy performed the role of Tanya in Broadway's "Mamma Mia" for 7 1/2 years and then played the starring role of Donna for 4 years - hers was the longest run of a principal role in "Mamma Mia" history. Judy has also cultivated a rich symphony career, performing a wide repertoire of music with national and international symphonies. In addition, Judy has enjoyed expanding her acting skills and ventured into theater, television and film. Judy crystallizes the focus of a NY actor, and I quote: "My job is to audition: be ready to audition; be prepared for auditioning". Actors do more auditioning than anything else and even though that means facing more no's than yes's, Judy has learned to stay positive, change her thoughts and trust in what comes her way. She loves the quote "What's for you, won't go by you." Therefore the jobs she is offered, are the ones she believes are truly meant for her. Judy's love for animals propelled her 2 magnificent trips to Africa, visiting animal sanctuaries, feeling deeply connected to the "Big Cats" and returning to devote volunteer hours with the Cheetah Conversation Fund in Cincinnati, developing "Angels of Music" and supporting her friend's project "Arts for Animals". Judy shares her profound connection and synchronicity with her own 3 cats, that even non-cat owners would be moved by.

Check out the link for Judy's website, to discover where she is next performing to experience her magic. You'll also find the links to two animal projects she supports. Enjoy the podcast! Links: www.judymclane.net Cheetah Conservation Fund Arts for Animals

My guest today is Lucy Miller-Suchet. I've known Lucy since she was in utero and have witnessed her beautiful growth into a kind-hearted, conscientious young woman, dedicated to social justice. As my youngest guest so far, Lucy's impressive experiences exceed her 21 years. As a 9th grader, Lucy was a trusted, responsible member of my independent youth group which culminated our year together in a two-week service trip to Nicaragua to build one-room cinder block houses for materially poor families. Lucy recently graduated from Brandeis University, having doubled majored in 'International Global Studies' and 'Health, Science, Society and Policy', with a minor in 'Economics'. During a profound summer college internship in San Francisco at a public health, non-profit start-up, Lucy learned invaluable lessons in stretching herself outside of her comfort zone, a deeper understanding of her self, and concrete, healthy self-care skills. Lucy also had an intense Junior semester in Argentina, immersed in Spanish speaking classes, while studying Argentina's health system. Lucy admits that she likes to throw herself off a cliff and see what happens, knowing that she'll eventually be able to swim. Lucy was selected to be a fellow with the 'Princeton in Latin America Fellowship' and she'll soon be moving to Ecuador, to work as a liaison with the US-based organization 'Partners for Andean Community Health'. Impressive, right?!? Join me in cheering Lucy on in this next chapter of her inspiring life! Enjoy the podcast! Links: Instagram https://partnersforandeancommunityhealth.org/

My guest today is Napoleon Murphy Brock. Napoleon, also known as Napi, is a singer, saxophonist and flute player who was Frank Zappa's front man in the 1970s. Please note that this episode is well over the typical one hour length of my recorded conversations, but Napi is quite the story teller and I didn't want anyone to miss out on his fascinating experiences. Even when it takes him nearly 30 minutes to tell how he and Frank Zappa met, on August 8th, 1973, and all the tangents he shares help lead up to this fateful meeting. From his ancestral lineage that captures his full name, to being hit by 2 cars at age 7, the start of hearing music while daydreaming, to being a natural ham in musicals and opera, to working as a janitor and behavior modification counselor, to creating a sought-after R&B influenced cover band in the late 60s, to pioneering multi-tasking as the band's lead singer, songwriter, arranger and instrumentalist, Napoleon Murphy Brock is a force to be reckoned with!! Napi is also passionate about health and fitness and shares some of his secrets to live with vitality. Come hear Napoleon with The Ed Palermo Big Band (EPBB) at The Falcon in Marlboro, NY this Saturday June 15th. And for those who happen to be in Germany this July 2019, Napoleon and the EPBB will be featured at the 30th anniversary of the Zappanale Music Festival. Check the links below for details. Enjoy the podcast!! Links: Ed Palermo Big Band Zappanale Live at The Falcon YouTube Video #1 YouTube Video #2

My guest today is Tyler Mix. Tyler is a fitness trainer, DJ, and a formerly incarcerated man, dedicated to turning his life around. For the first time in his life, Tyler has chosen to be clean and sober and is grateful for the support from his substance abuse program at Lexington Center in Airmont, NY. Tyler has taken his recovery program seriously which has been both intense and life-changing. Tyler is a resident in a transitional house run by M.A.D.E. Transitional Services, a Rockland County, NY non-profit organization dedicated to helping formerly incarcerated people with housing, re-entry, life skills training and job readiness. Check out my conversations with the two M.A.D.E. founders, Tarik Greene and Toney Earl, Jr. Tyler shares what his life had been like before prison, during prison and, now that he is out. He speaks of facing his past, not being proud of who he was or how he lived; about taking responsibility for his behavior and feeling genuine remorse. Tyler was a victim of correctional officers’ brutality, and although the C.O.’s covered up the abuse they inflicted, prevented Tyler from getting medical attention and manipulated the paperwork, Tyler is determined to not become bitter. He is learning the balance of being strong and confident, while making room for humility and vulnerability. Tyler has found creative outlets in hand-writing a novel, a screen play and drafted some animations, but his consistent solace is in working out and personal fitness. My husband Paul is helping Tyler create a website to launch Tyler's personal training business. It is inspiring to witness Tyler move in such a positive direction to transform his life!  Enjoy the podcast. Links: www.made-transitions.org Lexington Center for Recovery

My guest today is David M. Sinclair. David was a Marine Surveyor for 60 years, an avid sailor, and still, at the ripe old age of 91, is a nature enthusiast! David is my oldest guest and my beloved uncle, the eldest member of my extended family! I admired the playful, prankster loving relationship he and my mother closely shared. Raised as a Quaker in Germantown, PA, Dave remembers a teacher at Germantown Friends School igniting his love of bird watching. From that he has cultivated a life-long love for nature and within the past year the Darien Nature Center in Connecticut created a volunteer award in Dave’s name. Dave describes what the work of a marine surveyor entails, stories that highlight his detective skills, along with the changes he endured to keep his business running into he was in his early 80s. His sailing stories include racing the Ticonderoga in the 1940s, the various boats he and his wife Susan sailed, her Adam’s Cup award in 1962, his role as judge for YRA that earned his Ned Anderson Achievement Award. The tragic loss of his eldest son, Timmy was heart-wrenching and yet somehow in the midst of his shock and grief, Uncle Dave found the strength to offer forgiveness to the driver who killed his son. Despite the obvious strain such a loss plays on a marriage, Dave and Susan weathered their tough times, focused on their love and pride of their 2 other children, 4 grandchildren and have been married for 63 years. Enjoy the podcast! Links: Darien Nature Center News 12 CT - Hometown Hero (video)